A sophomore at a Texas high school was given a two-day in-school suspension for refusing to stand during the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag — something he said he does to protest the National Security Agency’s spy tactics.
“I’m really tired of our government taking advantage of us,” Needville High School student Mason Michalec told KHOU.com. “I don’t agree with the NSA spying on us, and I don’t agree with any of those Internet laws.”
Mason, 15, said he’s refused to stand up during the pledge the entire school year. But a different teacher noticed his behavior and reported him to the principal, FoxNews.com reported.
“And she told me, ’This is my classroom. This is the principal’s request. You’re going to stand,’ ” Mason told the local station. “And I still didn’t stand, and she said she was going to write me up.”
The principal, meanwhile, said the rules won’t change and if Mason continues his defiance, more suspensions will follow, FoxNews.com reported.
“I’m angry and frustrated and annoyed that they would try to write me up for something I have the right to do,” Mason told KHOU.com.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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